Canada's Government announces new air agreement with the Republic of the Philippines

    OTTAWA, May 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of
State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport), today announced the
successful conclusion of a new air transport agreement with the Philippines to
increase trade and tourism. She made the announcement on behalf of the
Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister
responsible for the Pacific Gateway and Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, and the
Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities.
    Secretary of State Guergis met with Senior Undersecretary Thomas Aquino
of the Department of Trade and Industry, Government of the Philippines, on the
margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible
for Trade (MRT) meeting in Arequipa, Peru, to make the announcement.
    "I am very pleased to announce a new and expanded air transport agreement
between Canada and the Philippines, which will enhance relations between our
two countries," said Secretary of State Guergis. "Expanded air services are an
important contributor to trade in goods and services, providing increased
capacity and access to more choices for both passenger and cargo traffic."
    "The new Canada-Philippines air transport agreement should facilitate
further growth in trade, investment and tourism," said Minister Cannon. "The
new provisions are a reflection of Canada's ongoing commitment to creating a
greater range of travel options for passengers, shippers, air carriers and
airports."
    The new provisions provide greater market access options for airlines
from both countries for passenger-cargo combination services. In addition,
both governments reached agreement on a new, flexible regime for the operation
of air-cargo services, which will also contribute to the success of Canada's
Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
    In 2007, two-way trade between Canada and the Philippines amounted to
$1.2 billion.
    The new agreement marks another step forward in the government's move to
liberalize Canada's air transport agreements under Canada's Blue Sky policy.
Both countries have agreed to explore further areas for possible
liberalization. Air carriers are reviewing the results of these negotiations
to determine what new air services initiatives may be introduced.

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For further information: Lynn Meahan, Press Secretary, Office of the
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the
Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, Ottawa, [phone]; Karine White, Press
Secretary, Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, Ottawa, [phone]; Trade Media Relations Office, Foreign
Affairs and International Trade, Canada, [phone]; Media Relations:
Transport Canada, Ottawa, [phone]; Transport Canada is online at
www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news
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